Waterside views, rolling vineyards, mountain trails, and creative urban neighbourhoods; just some of the words used to describe Kelowna. With all these attractive qualities, you really can’t go wrong with finding something to do in this lakeside city. But to help ensure you don’t miss out a single ounce of its beauty, here is our list of top things to do in Kelowna for first-time visitors.

1. Bike the Myra Canyon Trestles

Kelowna is made for outdoor adventures. Cycle or walk the Myra Canyon Trestles, a scenic 12-km one-way stretch of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail with 18 historic trestle bridges and 22 tunnels, with a gentle grade that makes it suitable for most fitness levels and ages. Shorter out-and-back options to the first few trestles make it a great choice for families with smaller kids and casual visitors.

Open throughout the year, the trail sees its highest use from May through October. In the warmer months, visitors can take advantage of bike and e-bike rentals at Myra Canyon Bicycle Rentals & Tours, as well as guided tours and convenient shuttle services. When winter arrives, the area shifts to snowshoeing and fat biking. Access can be more challenging, as the gravel road may require a 4x4 vehicle, and services are more limited.

First constructed in the early 1900s and later restored following the 2003 wildfires, the trestles and tunnels tell the story of British Columbia’s railway heritage. Along the route, interpretive signage shares insights into the line’s history, engineering methods, and the people who built and maintained it. Keep an eye out for local wildlife such as birds of prey and deer, as well as seasonal highlights like spring wildflowers or autumn colours.

Local Tip: Fall is one of the best times to hike Myra Canyon, when Golden larch trees dot the mountainsides in yellow and golden hues.

2. Go on a Wine Tour

Kelowna’s food and drink scene is known for showcasing local grapes, grains, and produce for every season. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to enjoy the Okanagan Valley's wineries is by joining a guided wine tour, which takes the planning and logistics off your plate while introducing you to wine trails and wineries such as Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, Mission Hill Family Estate, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, and many of the renowned Kelowna and area wineries.

Whether you are new to wine touring or looking to explore a different side of the valley, guided tours are also the safest way to visit multiple wineries, with knowledgeable hosts handling transportation, timing, and reservations. Many local tour companies offer flexible options ranging from half-day outings to full-day experiences, with some tours including lunch or dinner reservations at winery restaurants for a more immersive taste of the region.

Prefer to explore at your own pace? Our first-timers' guide to wine touring covers pacing, planning, and etiquette to help you make the most of the valley. For something more active, e-bike tours with Lakeside Eco-Sports are a fun way to move between vineyards while taking in lake and valley views. Other great options include group bike tours with Smile Cycle Tours through downtown, custom winery and brewery tours with A Grape Experience Wine Tours, hiking-and-tasting combos with Sagebrush Tours, and trail-focused tours along the Wine Trails with BARE Wine Tours.

Local Tip: Spring and fall are the sweet spots for wine touring in the Okanagan. Spring brings quieter cellar doors and the excitement of new releases, while fall offers harvest energy and equally relaxed crowds.

3. Experience Kelowna's Culinary Scene

Kelowna’s culinary scene is connected to the land, shaped by a long agricultural history and a strong farm-to-table philosophy. Chefs and producers draw from nearby farms, orchards, and vineyards, creating menus that reflect what is fresh and in season. You can experience relaxed cafés and coffee culture, scenic lakeside patios and refined dining rooms perfect for a special evening out. Many restaurants let the locally grown and sourced ingredients lead their menus, which change with the seasons.

Consider getting hands-on with a cooking class led by professional local chefs. Experiences at Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School and The Okanagan Table invite you into the kitchen to learn techniques, explore seasonal ingredients, and prepare dishes inspired by the Okanagan. It is an engaging way to connect with the region’s food while enjoying a memorable meal you helped prepare.

This commitment to local food culture is part of what earned Kelowna the distinction of being Canada’s first and only UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Across the city and the Okanagan Valley, you will find craft breweries, distilleries, cideries, wineries with on-site restaurants, and innovative kitchens blending Okanagan ingredients with global influences.

Local Tip: The season shapes what's on your plate in Kelowna. Summer brings an abundance of fresh cherries, peaches, and sun-ripened produce to local markets and menus, while fall signals harvest time — like apples, pears, squash, and wine grapes at their peak. Timing your visit around the seasons is one of the best ways to experience Okanagan food culture at its most vibrant.

4. Visit a Farm Stand, Farm Market, or a U-Pick Orchard

Stopping at a farm market, roadside stand, or orchard is a classic Okanagan experience, and one locals look forward to each year. It is simple, seasonal, and always worth the stop. Each season brings something different and tasty.

• Late June and early July mean bring buckets of bright, sun-warmed cherries.
• July and August deliver juicy peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots at their peak.
• In autumn, crisp apples and crunchy pears fill the bins, ready for pies, lunches, and easy afternoon snacks.

Beyond the orchard fruit, many farm stands also offer freshly picked vegetables, leafy greens, garlic, and baskets of strawberries or raspberries. Pick up a few items for a picnic, gather ingredients for dinner, or bring home a delicious souvenir from your time in the valley.

If you would like a more hands-on experience, many local farms offer u-pick options. Some provide boxes or bags, but it is always a good idea to bring your own. Produce is typically sold by weight, so only harvest what you plan to use. Not sure what is in season? Connect with the team at the Kelowna Visitor Centre or take a look at our Blossom & Harvest Guide to plan your visit.

You can also get local produce at the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market. Held outdoors from April through October, the market runs on Wednesdays, with a full market on Saturdays. It is a vibrant spot to shop for fresh produce, baked goods, and artisan finds while connecting with the local growers and makers behind it all.

Local Tip: If you're heading to a u-pick farm, go early in the day when the fruit is cool, firm, and less susceptible to bruising, and selection is at its best. Bring your own bags or boxes, wear layers, and pack sunscreen.

5. Hike Knox Mountain Park

Just steps from downtown, Knox Mountain Park offers some of the best views in the city. With a well-connected network of trails, it is easy to tailor your visit, whether you are in the mood for a steady climb or a relaxed wander. Two main lookouts provide perfect spots to pause and snap a few photos. In April and early May, it is a popular spot to see the Arrowleaf wildflower's bloom, lovingly nicknamed the Okanagan Sunflower.

Popular routes like the Apex Trail reward hikers with sweeping views of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding valley, while the trail to Paul’s Tomb leads to a tucked-away beach that feels like a hidden gem. The park is also home to an extensive mountain biking network, making it a go-to for riders seeking flowy singletrack or more technical terrain.

Whether you are heading up for sunrise, chasing golden hour, or simply stretching your legs between downtown stops, Knox Mountain delivers big scenery just minutes from the city centre.

Local Tip: Hike Knox Mountain at sunset for golden hour views over Okanagan Lake. If you're visiting between late April and early May, the hillsides come alive with Arrowleaf blooms — nicknamed the Okanagan Sunflower — making the climb even more rewarding.

6. Paddleboard or Kayak on Kalamalka Lake

If you are looking for water so blue it almost looks tropical, head north to Kalamalka Lake. Known for its striking turquoise colour caused by calcium carbonate, this lake is a favourite for paddleboarding and kayaking, especially on calm mornings when the water feels like glass.

Launch from one of the public beaches and take your time exploring quiet coves and open stretches of shoreline. The lake’s clear water makes it easy to spot fish below, and the surrounding hills create a peaceful, scenic backdrop.

Pack sunscreen, plenty of water, and plan to linger.

Local Tip: Pack a picnic before you paddle. Pick up local fruit, cheese, and snacks from a nearby farm stand or orchard and find a quiet cove to drift and snack.

7. Visit Kelowna's Cultural District

Everything is so close in Kelowna that it’s a breeze to connect with local art and history on foot. In the heart of downtown, the Cultural District brings together galleries, theatres, museums, and public art, all within a few walkable blocks. A self-guided Cultural District walking tour is a great way to learn the stories behind the sculptures and murals that dot the waterfront and city streets. 

Along the way, step inside the Kelowna Art Gallery to view rotating exhibitions, or catch a performance or workshop at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Learn about the history of the region at the Okanagan  Heritage Museum, the Okanagan Wine & Orchard Museum, or the Okanagan Military Museum. Then slow your pace with a visit to Kasugai Japanese Garden, where winding paths, traditional design, and koi-filled ponds offer a peaceful break from the bustle of downtown.

Local Tip: Make a stop at the Kelowna Visitor Centre during your Cultural District walk. We carry a curated selection of work from local artists, from stickers and postcards to prints and original paintings, making it an easy place to find a meaningful souvenir to take home.

8. Walk the Waterfront Promenade

The Waterfront Promenade is one of the easiest ways to experience Kelowna. Stretching roughly two kilometres, it takes about 30 minutes to walk at a relaxed pace, with plenty of places to stop and take it all in.

The paved path runs through City Park and past Hot Sands Beach, then continues by Stuart Park. In winter, the park hosts a free outdoor skating rink, while the warmer months bring local activations, concerts, sunset yoga sessions, and even rollerblade discos. From there, head toward the waterfront near the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort, where the path transitions into a wooden boardwalk looping around Waterfront Park.

At the north end, the route connects to trails in Rotary Marsh Park, where you may spot birds and other local wildlife. Flat, accessible, and steps from downtown patios and shops, it is an easy addition to any Kelowna itinerary.

Local Tip: Walk the promenade in the early morning or early evening for the best light on the lake and the best opportunity to spot wildlife. Stop for a coffee from one of the nearby cafés before you head out and take your time — there's almost always something happening along the water worth pausing for.

9. Visit a Beach

With more than 30 designated beaches and parks and countless smaller neighbourhood lake access points, Kelowna makes it wonderfully easy to spend a day by the water. Whether you are craving a lively stretch of sand filled with summer energy or a quieter patch to roll out a towel and relax, there is a beach here to match your mood.

Among the most popular is Boyce-Gyro Beach Park, known for its wide sandy shoreline, grassy picnic areas, and iconic playground complete with a zipline that glides toward Okanagan Lake. Just down Lakeshore Road, Rotary Beach Park also offers a broad sandy beach and is a go-to spot for kiteboarders when the afternoon breeze picks up. Sarsons Beach has a more laid-back, neighbourhood feel, perfect for those seeking a slower pace.

In the downtown core, Tugboat Beach and Hot Sands Beach are favourites for families thanks to their playful waterfront settings and easy access to cafés, shops, and the boardwalk. At City Park, kids can splash and bounce on the inflatable water playground. For something a little more tucked away, Strathcona Beach Park or Bertram Creek Regional Park offers a peaceful setting framed by lake and mountain views.

Pack a picnic, bring a floatie, or simply dip your toes into the water. Many beaches also offer on-site rentals for paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water activities, making it easy to turn a relaxed afternoon into a full day of lakeside adventure.

Local Tip: Many of Kelowna's beaches sit along popular cycling routes and multi-use trails, making beach hopping by bike a fun and easy way to spend a summer day. Rent a bike downtown, follow the trail south along Abbott Street and south towards Lakeshore Road, and stop at whichever beach calls to you.

10. Explore the North End Breweries

Kelowna’s North End is home to a growing collection of breweries centred around Clement Avenue and Richter Street. Within a few easy-to-walk blocks, you can visit multiple taprooms in one outing, making it a great option for a casual afternoon or relaxed evening with friends.

Stop by Red Bird Brewing, Kettle River Brewing Co., or Vice & Virtue Brewing Co., then explore nearby spots at your own pace. Many of the breweries host regular live music nights, often outdoors in the summer and indoors throughout the winter. You will also find trivia nights, bingo, and other events happening year-round. Several locations feature on-site kitchens serving up pizzas, share plates, brunch, and other hearty bites to pair with your pint.

Local Tip: The North End breweries are close enough to walk between, so leave the car behind and make an afternoon of it. Start early enough to catch happy hour at your first stop, and check each brewery's social media or website before you go — live music nights and seasonal tap releases have a way of turning a casual pint into a full evening out.

Get Ready for Your First Kelowna Trip

There is no wrong way to experience Kelowna. Mix beach days, wine touring, hikes, patios, and cultural stops to match your pace. When you are ready to plan, explore our Plan Your Trip resources for where to stay, seasonal ideas, and helpful itineraries.

Want to see more of the Okanagan Valley? Check out our Neighbourhood Guides, and explore our dedicated pages for West Kelowna, Lake Country, and Peachland to round out your visit.

Start planning today at tourismkelowna.com and get ready to #exploreKelowna.

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